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Earlier this year, the City Council banned bonfires from Carmel Beach on holidays and weekends without getting the Coastal Commission's approval. The commission notified the city that the ban should not be enforced and should have never been created without its approval.

At a hearing on Friday, however, the commission decided that it would take no actions to stop Carmel from enforcing its ban.

The decision was handed down after 25 local residents spoke during the hearing's public comment session.

As the issue was debated throughout 2015, city leaders agreed with residents who live along Carmel Beach that the bonfires posed a public health hazard and created a public nuisance.

"Since it is made based on health grounds, and the Coastal Commission does not have jurisdiction over health, we believe that our decision (will) prevail," Mayor Jason Burnett said.